'Do they win big games?': Anonymous SEC coaches sound off on Texas A&M
Athlon's annual anonymous SEC coach quotes include a glowing endorsement of Texas A&M HC Mike Elko, and lingering question for QB Marcel Reed.
We've reached the point in the 2026 offseason when anonymous coaches from every Power Four program discuss opposing players, offering casual or in-depth takes on a team's many strengths and weaknesses, especially at quarterback. For Texas A&M , redshirt junior signal-caller Marcel Reed will continue to be the general talking point for the other 15 SEC coaching staffs, especially the programs that will face the Tennessee native in 2026. Entering his third and second full starting seasons, Reed's dual-threat status was questioned in several games last fall, while his most complete performance came during the Aggies' blowout road win vs.
LSU, throwing for over 200 yards and two scores while rushing for over 100 yards and two touchdowns. However, in an effort to prevent injury, Reed rushed attempts for highly strategic reasons, which set the Aggie offense back in losses to Texas and Miami in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Finishing with a career-high 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns, it's clear that Reed is capable of leading the offense through the air and will continue to refine his mechanics this offseason with QB coach Joey Lynch.
Well, even career numbers haven't changed the mind of one anonymous SEC coach, who, in an interview with Athlon Sports , stated that Reed's athleticism and playmaking ability early in the season have yet to come through in "big games," especially against rival Texas. “I always thought [QB Marcel Reed] was a great athlete. Respect him, but I always judge those guys on, ‘Do they win those big games?
Are they the main difference? ’ He’s got a year under his belt, but there’s gonna be more pressure on him facing the top half of the league and not have it just come down to the Texas game at the end. ” Entering his third season at the helm, head coach Mike Elko is nationally regarded as one of the best defensive minds, and taking the Aggies to the CFP for the first time in program history during his second season at the helm earned the New Jersey native a lucrative contract extension this offseason.